Earth Day: Repurposed Designs That Look Good and Save $$

For some, doing something “green” on Earth Day feels forced. But what could be more natural, rewarding and eco-friendly for design types like us than repurposing old furniture, fixtures and architectural relics into chic new pieces for our homes. (And you can save money!) I consider myself a pretty creative person, but I would never have thought to turn an old headboard into a coat rack or a salvaged sink into a bird bath. Luckily, there are plenty of experts in the design world coming up with cool step-by-step projects that are good for the planet. Here are my favorite repurposed design ideas, five easy DIYs from HGTV.com that give tired and unused items a stylish new lease on life.

Way too often when I’m scouring Craigslist, I see a random dining room chair for sale and think, “What the heck would I do with one chair?!” Well, Brian Patrick Flynn suggests choosing an eclectic mix of chairs, painting them a unified color and reupholstering them in matching fabric for a fabulous we-belong-together look.

I come across used shutters at flea markets and the Habitat ReStore all the time, which is great because I’ve discovered that shutters look amazing as headboards, wall art and apparently console tables, as well. Don’t feel like you have to use this as a sofa table; it’s perfect for placing by the front door to catch mail and keys.

If you find beauty in rustic architectural items, why not use them as one-of-a-kind wall hangings? Brian Patrick Flynn turned this old wooden door into a bedroom’s focal point by mounting it on a rich backdrop and hanging it directly above the headboard. So simple and customizable.

If your attic is housing an old bedroom set, give it new life by repurposing parts of it into functional wall hangings. The mattress spring can serve as a floor-to-ceiling message board, while the old headboard can be painted, embellished and used as a stylish coat rack.

To our creative readers — tell us some of the ways you’ve repurposed items in your home. We can’t wait to hear your ideas!

Kayla KittsKayla is a special projects editor at HGTV.com and a co-editor-in-chief for Design Happens. Kayla is an overbearing cat mom with a love for vintage-modern furniture, artisan cocktails, organizing all...